Krysten Ritter Movies and TV Shows: Breaking Bad, Jessica Jones

There’s something magnetic about actors who can make a single season feel like a career-defining moment. Krysten Ritter did exactly that—turning Jane Margolis in Breaking Bad into one of television’s most unforgettable characters, then pivoting seamlessly into a role that would define her decade. From indie films to Marvel’s Netflix universe, her career has quietly accumulated depth most performers take twice as long to build.

Famous For: Jessica Jones in Marvel’s Jessica Jones ·
Notable TV Role: Breaking Bad ·
Early TV Appearances: Veronica Mars (2005–2006), Gilmore Girls (2006–2007) ·
Top Platforms: IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, TV Guide ·
Key Movie: 27 Dresses

The table below maps Ritter’s most significant roles across television platforms, from her 2009 breakthrough through her 2026 Disney+ revival.

What is Krysten Ritter famous for?

Krysten Ritter is an American actress whose career spans television, film, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. She first captured attention with her breakthrough role as Jane Margolis in AMC’s Breaking Bad (2009–2010), a character described as increasingly desperate and dangerous, girlfriend to Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul) Rotten Tomatoes. That single season created momentum that carried her into headlining roles and eventually the title character of Netflix’s Jessica Jones.

Jessica Jones

On December 5, 2014, Ritter was cast to star in the Marvel Television series Jessica Jones in the title role as a former superhero turned private investigator Wikipedia. The series premiered in 2015 and ran for three seasons until June 2019, earning critical acclaim including Peabody, Hugo, and Emmy recognition Wikipedia. Ritter’s performance as the hard-drinking, trauma-surviving Jessica Jones became her most famous role and a defining part of the MCU’s Netflix era Breaking Bad Wiki.

Breaking Bad

Ritter’s breakthrough role was Jane Margolis on AMC’s Breaking Bad (2009–2010) Wikipedia. The character appeared in the show’s second season, leaving an indelible mark despite her brief screen time. Ritter later reprised the role in El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie, which premiered on October 11, 2019 Wikipedia. The return demonstrated how a supporting character could resonate so strongly that audiences demanded her story continue a decade later.

Other Key Roles

Beyond Marvel and Breaking Bad, Ritter headlined the ABC sitcom Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23 (2012–2013) as the lead character Chloe, an offbeat con artist who inspires fear, lust, and admiration in everyone she scams Rotten Tomatoes. She also appeared in the film Vamps (2012) opposite Alicia Silverstone, chosen by director Amy Heckerling Rotten Tomatoes. With 56 acting credits according to TV Guide filmography, Ritter has built a diverse portfolio spanning genres from dark drama to comedy TV Guide.

Krysten Ritter Movies

Though television has defined much of Ritter’s career, her filmography includes notable appearances in romantic comedies, dramas, and genre fare. Her movies showcase an actress willing to experiment across formats.

27 Dresses

27 Dresses remains one of Ritter’s most recognizable film appearances, positioning her alongside Anne Hathaway in the 2008 romantic comedy that became a cult favorite among the genre’s fans.

Big Eyes

Ritter appeared in Tim Burton’s Big Eyes (2014), a biopic about artist Margaret Keane starring Amy Adams and Christoph Waltz. The film explored the art world controversy surrounding Margaret Keane’s famous “big eyes” paintings.

Recent Film Work

Recent projects include Stone Cold Fox, Sonic the Hedgehog 3, and Nightbooks, according to TV Guide filmography TV Guide. These appearances suggest Ritter continues to expand her range in both independent and studio productions.

Krysten Ritter TV Shows

Television has been the engine driving Ritter’s career, from early guest appearances to her current expansion across multiple streaming platforms.

Veronica Mars

Ritter appeared in UPN’s Veronica Mars during 2005–2006, working alongside Kristen Bell in the cult detective series that developed a devoted following and later earned a feature film revival through Kickstarter.

Gilmore Girls

She followed with a role in The CW’s Gilmore Girls (2006–2007), appearing alongside Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel in the beloved series about a mother-daughter relationship in fictional Stars Hollow, Connecticut.

Don’t Trust The B—- In Apartment 23

Ritter headlined the ABC sitcom Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23 (2012–2013) as Chloe, the lead character Wikipedia. The series, despite its short run, developed a cult following and showcased Ritter’s comedic timing alongside co-stars Dreama Walker and James Van Der Beek in a tongue-in-cheek role playing himself.

Other Notable Appearances

Beyond her starring roles, Ritter has appeared in Orphan Black: Echoes, Love & Death, and animated series including Krapopolis and The Simpsons TV Guide. Her voice work and guest appearances across platforms demonstrate an actress unwilling to be typecast.

The pattern across Ritter’s television career shows a deliberate avoidance of typecasting—each role lands in a distinct genre, from teen mystery to prestige drama to superhero noir.

Krysten Ritter in Breaking Bad

Breaking Bad marked the turning point in Ritter’s career, transforming her from working actress to someone audiences genuinely wanted to see more of.

Role Details

Ritter played Jane Margolis, a 23-year-old recovering addict and aspiring tattoo artist who becomes Jesse Pinkman’s romantic interest. Jane’s storyline in Season 2 proved devastating—her death in Episode 13 (“ABQ”) became one of the series’ most shocking moments. The character was described as increasingly desperate and dangerous, a trajectory that made her both sympathetic and unpredictable Rotten Tomatoes.

Season Highlights

In Breaking Bad Season 2, Episode 10 titled “Over,” Jesse confronts Jane after a drug binge for pretending not to know him to her father YouTube. This scene exemplifies the complexity Jane brought to the show—a character whose flaws made her human rather than a stereotype.

El Camino Return

Ritter reprised her Breaking Bad role as Jane Margolis in El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie, which premiered on Netflix on October 11, 2019 Wikipedia. Though the character had died in the original series, her presence in the film—through flashbacks—underscored how deeply Jane had affected Jesse’s journey. The cameo demonstrated the lasting impact a brief character could have on a story.

Krysten Ritter Marvel Roles

The Marvel Cinematic Universe became Ritter’s professional home for nearly a decade, beginning with her casting in Jessica Jones and expanding into broader MCU crossovers.

Jessica Jones

Ritter starred in Jessica Jones for three seasons (2015–2019) on Netflix Marvel.com. The series, part of Marvel Television’s Netflix output, followed Ritter’s character—a former superhero with superhuman strength who opened a private investigation firm after escaping abusive control. The show’s third season introduced the darkest storyline yet, with Ritter directing an episode titled “AKA You’re Welcome,” marking her directorial debut Marvel Cinematic Universe Wiki.

The Defenders

Ritter appeared in the Marvel crossover miniseries The Defenders (2017) alongside Charlie Cox, Mike Colter, and Finn Jones Wikipedia. The limited series united Jessica Jones with Daredevil, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist for Marvel’s first Netflix crossover event.

Return to MCU: Daredevil: Born Again

In May 2025, Ritter was announced to reprise her role as Jessica Jones in the second season of Daredevil: Born Again on Disney+ Wikipedia. During Disney’s 2025 upfront presentation, Ritter took the stage with Charlie Cox to announce her casting Marvel.com. Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 premiered in March 2026 with Ritter reprising the role Wikipedia, marking her transition from Netflix’s MCU to the Disney+ era. Ritter is set to return in the third season of Daredevil: Born Again as well Wikipedia.

Ritter’s continuity across both Netflix and Disney+ iterations of the MCU positions her as a rare bridge between two distinct eras of Marvel’s streaming strategy.

The trajectory tells its own story. A breakout role in one of television’s darkest dramas. A headlining turn in a short-lived but beloved sitcom. Three seasons as a Marvel lead. Now a return to the MCU through Disney+ and a new role in the Dexter franchise. Each pivot has felt organic rather than calculated—choosing roles that interest her rather than chasing trend cycles. Whether viewers discovered her through Breaking Bad, Jessica Jones, or 27 Dresses, the pattern holds: when Ritter commits to a character, that character tends to linger in the cultural memory long after the credits roll.